This blog is an announcement of a new textbook for undergraduates taking their first course in audiology, for Doctor of Audiology students who are preparing for a national examination, or for practicing audiologists who are interested in a current update on the profession. Introduction to Audiology Today is written in a straightforward and engaging writing style at a level appropriate for communicative disorders students and others with no background in audiology or speech pathology. I’ve distilled in the book 40-years of clinical, administrative, research, and teaching experience in audiology and speech-language pathology.

Organization of the Book

The book follows the traditional format for undergraduate texts. The first chapter is an enthusiastic review of the profession of audiology from past to present, highlighted with information on audiology as an excellent career choice.

The next two chapters introduce the reader to principles of sound and psychoacoustics and functional anatomy of the auditory and vestibular systems. Seven chapters provide a clinically oriented explanation of current test procedures and protocols used to evaluate hearing from the ear to the brain including objective techniques for auditory assessment of infants and young children. Notably, a separate chapter is dedicated to masking.

Two chapters on patient populations offer a clear, concise, and clinically focused description of diseases that cause hearing loss and other explanations for hearing loss, including auditory processing disorders (APD) and auditory neuropathy spectrum disorder (ANSD). The final quarter of the book is devoted to a readable explanation of modern technologies and evidence-based techniques for effective management of hearing loss and related disorders including balance disturbances.

Special Features

Five features facilitate learning, and distinguish Introduction to Audiology Today from other competitive textbooks. Learning Objectives, a Chapter Focus, and Key Terms at the beginning of each chapter orient students to important content and new vocabulary that will follow. Addition features enhance reader interest and facilitate effective learning.

Clinical Connections are brief notations that relate information in the chapter to audiology practice, specifically the diagnosis and management of hearing loss and related disorders. WebWatch notations direct readers to Internet resources on topics including video clips illustrating clinical techniques and procedures.

The Leaders and Luminaries feature includes a brief biographical sketch and a photograph of some of the persons who’ve made especially important contributions to audiology or hearing science, bringing the subject matter to life. Each chapter concludes with Pulling It All Together, a succinct summary of the topics covered in the chapter.

PowerPoint Presentation

Instructors adopting Introduction to Audiology Today receive 16 comprehensive and attractive PPT presentations, one for each chapter in the book. Each slide show includes a summary of the content in the chapter, along with colorful versions of figures and photographs in the book.

The PPT presentations were carefully compiled so instructors adopting Introduction to Audiology Today are ready to enter a classroom and teach with minimal preparation.

Instructor Manual and Test Pool

The Instructor Manual available for Introduction to Audiology Today, written by a college professor who teaches introductory courses at the undergraduate level, is designed to facilitate effective instruction and interactive learning. A test pool is available to instructors adopting Introduction to Audiology Today. It consists of hundreds of items assessing important concepts, terms, and knowledge.

Try Introduction to Audiology Today … You’ll Like It

I encourage you to review Introduction to Audiology Today and to consider it seriously as a textbook for courses you teach to undergraduate students.

“Introduction to Audiology Today is an outstanding new textbook for all undergraduate students majoring in Communication Sciences and Disorders. The author expertly covers a wide range of audiology topics in this book that provides an excellent foundation for students going into Speech Language Pathology or Audiology. Like previous textbooks by Dr. Hall, this book contains a wealth of valuable figures, tables, and references that will benefit both CSD students and faculty in their study of the human auditory system and its assessment.”

Denise Tucker, PhD

East Carolina University

“Congratulations on the publication of Introduction to Audiology Today. In my opinion, the book is clearly written, up-to-date, engaging, and well structured. I particularly liked the Clinical Connections feature that immediately relates content to clinical issues and the Web Watch recommendations that essentially build-in access to new innovations and advances. I also especially like the glimpses into the history of audiology that are provided through the Legends and Luminaries feature. This is a great way for students to see that they truly do stand on the “Shoulders of Giants.” Speech-language pathology is mentioned often throughout the book in a way that helps students interested in that profession see the relevance of audiology to their future work. The many illustrations and photographs that accompany the text will be very helpful to students.”

Judith Blumsack, PhD

Auburn University

An AuD Student Comment About Introduction to Audiology Today

“I found the book to be a very readable and up to date, all-in-one resource as I prepared for the Praxis examination. As I went through the Praxis study guide PDF, I found that much of the information was found within Introduction to Audiology Today. Instead of having to pursue numerous resources in my Praxis preparation, I was able to consult the book extensively and I found this to be a most efficient use of my study time.”